ASIA

The holidays aren’t a competition, they’re all about love and giving and those Fa-la-la-la-las. But say for one second, that they WERE a competition. You’d want to win, right? It just so happens that Flexjetand Abercrombie & Kent really want you to come out on top as well by offering this year’s Ultimate Holiday Gift.

COMO Hotels and Resorts, owners of the Bhutanese lodges Uma by COMO, Paro and Punakha, Bhutan, have partnered with global aircraft charter company Chapman Freeborn to offer travelers a seven-night luxury vacation in the Kingdom of Bhutan including round-trip private jet transportation.

The Kingdom of Bhutan, a tiny but beautiful country on the eastern end of the Himalayas, is home to a few exquisite luxury resorts; but it’s a little difficult to reach. Thanks to a new partnership between high-end COMO Hotels and Resorts and global aircraft charter specialist Chapman Freeborn, however, elite travelers can now easily arrive in style. COMO, which owns Parrot Cay in the Turks & Caicos as well as other five-star Bhutanese luxury lodges, has launched an exclusive seven-night trip with flights to and from the country via private jet.

Along with releasing their 2014 Asia Boutique River Cruise and Tour brochure, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is also introducing a new 12-day Treasures of China & the Yangtze cruise/tour. The luxury itineraries throughout China, Vietnam and Cambodia allow for a more lavish option for discovering the country’s history and culture. Along with the cruise, the itineraries will consist of both land and cruising tours along the Yangtze and Mekong Rivers.... Read More

As French luxury brand Sofitel continues its expansion into Asian markets, the Sofitel Philippine Plaza has gone one step further by offering the first health and wellness treatment center located inside a hotel in Asia.
With medical tourism on... Read More

Travel + Leisure magazine has recognized the Palace Hotel Tokyo in Marunouchi in its ‘Best Hotel, 100 or More Rooms’ in its annual Design Awards. The magazine named the property for its “understated luxury,” its “traditional grandeur”... Read More

What to do with that million dollars burning a hole in your pocket. You could donate it to a worthy charitable cause. Buy your parents their dream home, and hey, why not throw in something shiny for yourself? Don't be silly, you're going on an extravagant tour of India! YOLO right?... Read More

In a new collaboration, Sofitel Luxury Hotels has announced that designer Karl Lagerfeld will create the emblem of the new Sofitel So Singapore. Each Sofitel So hotel has its own unique style, reflected in the signature design and can be found in various amenities available to guests during their stay. “I am very proud to announce this inspirational collaboration, which is a perfect illustration of Sofitel Luxury Hotels’ ambitions with regard to excellence and elegance," said Robert Gaymer-Jones, CEO of Sofitel Luxury. "His exceptional creativity and talent will confer on our emblem the ultimate touch of refinement and enhance our concept."

Designer Philippe Stark's brilliant vision is heading to Indonesia. A private village of 12 limited edition villas with signature glass facades by artist JonOne and designed by Stark is due to begin breaking ground in 2013. Set in the Petitenget neighborhood of Seminyak, Bali, The Stairs Villa Hotel will be the first Stark designed project in the country. Inspired by a vision of vibrant streets across the world coming together in a monolithic 65-foot-wide stairway, the property will include a café patisserie, restaurant, bar lounge, boutique, mezzanine bibliothèque, signature spa, and workout facilities. "The Stairs, without a doubt, shall become the boiling bucket of energy, activity and intelligence of Bali, and perhaps more," describes Philippe Starck, the brainchild behind the design... Read More

With people like Joan R. Ginther running around Texas winning four (yes, four) multi-million-dollar lotto jackpots, one can’t help but wonder how to get in on the action. So we sought out a few charmed Asian destinations to visit that might just bring the good fortune you're in search of; and if you're really lucky, some once-in-a-lifetime memories to boot. Plus, as the Chinese New Year looms ever-nearer, its a fitting time to see what the propitious Orient has to offer for the year ahead. ... Read More

InterContinental Hong Kong’s restaurants, which include NOBU InterContinental Hong Kong, and the popular Harbourside, are acclaimed for their outstanding cuisine, exemplary service and panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island.

And now, the InterContinental Hong Kong is now the only venue in Hong Kong with three Michelin star restaurants under one roof. Following the release of the 2013 Michelin Guide To Hong Kong and Macau, SPOON by Alain Ducasse received two Michelin stars while Yan Toh Heen and THE STEAK HOUSE winebar + grill each received one Michelin star.... Read More

Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has unveiled the recently renovated guests rooms at The Oberoi, Bangalore. The 86 renovated rooms are equipped with technological advances introduced by The Oberoi Group through ‘Oberoi E’nhance,’ a luxury innovation in technology allowing guests to customize a host of in-room amenities through an iPad. The 344-square-foot guest rooms have been stylishly furnished with natural textures including silk, leather, wood and white marble, modern artwork and private balconies. The renovated bathrooms, each complete with modern features including a four fixture glass-walled bath with motorized blinds in white marble, a standalone bath tub, separate shower stall and leather accessories.... Read More